What is Plain Language? Communication that your audience or readers can understand the first time they hear or read it

DBRITE
TAEP
TDLS
TDWR
ATB
FAA
ACE-IDS
STARS
TRACON
ETVS
CTAS
DVRS
ICAO
ITWS
pb-ICE
RACD
IPDS
ARTS
ACD
TWIP
ASOS
ASR
IWG
TVSR
SATDS
FDIO
FDAD
FIAT
TDW
DEDS
IPT

How can you fix abbreviations

• Don’t use more than two, and at most three, abbreviations in each written document.
• Instead, use “nicknames” such as “unit” instead of WPU for Witness protection unit, or “case review” instead of PQCR for Peer Quality Case Review.

Use common words Instead of Use

• Utilize
• Facilitate
• Discretionary
• Expend
• Regarding
• Prior to

• Use
• Help
• Optional, available
• Use
• About
• Before

What is this?

Using lists

• Lists can be a very powerful way to convey information.
• Make sure that all the items in a list are constructed in a parallel way – each item should start with the same part of speech.
• Using conjunctions (“and”) and disjunctions (“or”) improperly can confuse the audience, and even give incorrect information.

Lists, cont’d

• Don’t make lists too long-- Research suggests that 7 items is the maximum number of items that can be understood easily.
• Have an obvious reason for the order of your list. The best order is the way the customer wants it. Alphabetical is an OK fall-back way to organize.

Bulleted lists

• Use for 3 to 7 items for increased effectiveness
• Introduce list with a concise phrase or sentence
• Use parallel construction
• Indent run-over lines under the text, not the bullet
• Omit initial articles “a” “the” and repetitive words, just list what is unique
• Numbered lists – for steps in a sequence ONLY